Augmentation of the immune response to influenza vaccine by acetylsalicylic acid: a clinical trial in a geriatric population.

Abstract

The purpose of this placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial was to evaluate the efficacy of oral acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), a comparatively safe, inexpensive biological response modifier, as an adjuvant to influenza vaccination in a geriatric population. 281 healthy adults, 65 years or older, received influenza vaccine and were randomized to ASA or placebo. Serum antibody against influenza A/Beijing and B/Panama, influenza antigen-stimulated blastogenesis and antigen-stimulated interleukin-2 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro were increased following vaccination. Blastogenic response and interleukin-2 production increased to a similar extent in the two treatment groups. The proportion of participants with a 4-fold rise in specific antibody directed against influenza A/Beijing was greater among ASA recipients (p < 0.05). This difference was more marked in subjects > 75 years old (p < 0.01).